Battery connector

ABSTRACT

A battery connector having a body providing separable portions defining a clamping opening therebetween, resilient means urging the portions toward each into clamping configuration, one of said portions having a socket therein disposed toward an opposite portion, and a handle pivotally mounted in the socket engageable with the opposite portion operable to force the portions apart against the urging of the resilient means, the handle being releasably captured in the socket and urged into seated engagement in the socket by said opposite means under the force imparted thereto by the resilient means.

United States Patent Azamber et al. [451 July 18, 1972 BATTERY CONNECTOR Prirnary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney-Huebner & Worrel [72] Inventors: Eugene C. Azamber, 4664 W. Hammond,

Fresno, Calif. 93705; Frank D. Cabe, 1310 N. Wishun Avenue, Fresno, Calif.

221 Filed: March 31, 1971 211 App]. No.: 129,925

' 52 us. or. ..339/226, 24/136 R, 287/100, 339/228, 339/230 0 s1 1m. 01 iron 13/62 [58] Field ofSearch ..339/224-24o; 24/134 E, 134 EA, 136, 263 $13; 287/100 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Goodnight ..3 39/226 {57] ABSTRACT A battery connector having a body providing separable portions defining a clamping opening therebetween, resilient means urging the portions toward each into clamping configuration, one of said portions having a socket therein disposed toward an opposite portion, and a handle pivotally mounted in the socket engageable with the opposite portion operable to force the portions apart against the urging of the resilient means, the handle being releasably captured in the socket and urged into seated engagement in the socket by said opposite means under the force imparted thereto by the resilient means.

8 Clairm, 7 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 3,678,450

llLLl EUGENE C. AZAMBE/P FRANK 0. CASE INVENTO/FKS- ATTORNEYS BATTERY CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION invention constitutes a refinement of the earlier battery connector's of the designated patents which has resulted from these continuing efforts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved battery connector of the general type shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,548,782 and 2,860,320.

Another object is tominimize the cost of producing such battery connectors.

Another object is to simplify the assembly of battery connectors having a body providing separable portions defining a clamping opening therebetween. I

Anotherobject is to provide such a battery connector having resilient means urging the portions toward each other into a clamping configuration and utilizing a handle operable to force the portions apart.

Another object is to provide such a battery connector in which the handle is held in assembled relation with the separable portions under the urging of such resilient means.

Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a battery connector of the character and for the purposes set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a battery connector embodying the principles of the present invention mounted on a battery terminal.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the connector and terminal shown in FIG. 1 illustrating an operating handle in full line in the position assumed when the connector is clamped on a battery post and in dashed line in the position assumed when the connector is released.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the battery connector of FIGS. 1 through 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective illustrating the novel mounting of the operating handle in the battery connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The battery connector of the present invention has a body 10 consisting of separable portions 11 and 12. The portion 11 constitutes a base and the portion 12, a cap. A post receiving opening 13 is defined between the base and the cap. The base provides a shank portion 14 having a bore 15 and a counter bore 16 disposed diametrically of the post opening 13. The bore 15 is of a diameter to receive the conductor 17 of a battery cable 18 having an insulating cover 19. The counter bore 16 is adapted to receive the cable 18 including the cover. Countersunk fastening bores 20 are formed in the base 11 diametrically of the bore 15 and counter bore 16. The cable is affixed to the base 11 by extending the base conductor 17 into the bore and the cable including the cover into the counter bore and screw-threadably engaging the screws 21 with the cable. The screws are of a length such that when they are tightened, they extend substantially through the cable expanding it into tight engagement with the bore and the counter bore. The tight engagement in the counter bore results in the substantially weather-tight association of the cover and body.

Parallel bores 30 are formed through the base 11 and cap 12 on opposite sides of the opening 13 and in substantially equally spaced relation to the opening. A counter bore 31 is formed in the base concentrically of each of the bores 30 and each has an open end disposed adjacent to the shank 14. Shallow nut sockets 32 are formed in the cap 12 concentrically of the bores 30 and oppositely disposed from the base.

A compression spring 33 is positioned in each of the counter bores 31, a slot-headed bolt 34 is extended through each of the springs, through the bores 30, and screwthreadably engaged with nuts 35 located in the sockets 32. After the nuts 35 are mounted on the bolts, the adjacent ends of the bolts are preferably swaged sufiiciently to insure permanent retention of the nuts on the bolts. The heads of the bolts are preferably slidably fitted to the counter bores 31 so as to minimize the intrusion of dirt and contamination.

Since the extent of the gripping action achieved by the battery connector is dependent upon the compression of the springs 33, the slot heads on the bolts 34 are rotated by a screw driver, not shown, so as to tighten the nuts 35 on the bolts 34 and achieve the desired spring compression.

It will be noted that the base 11 has a face 40 substantially diametrically related to the opening 13 and the cap has a face 41 in juxtaposition to the face on the base. For purposes soon to become apparent, the cap is slightly wider than the base so as to provide shoulders 42 extended outwardly beyond opposite sides of the base.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, bearing sockets or channels 45 are formed inwardly of the face 40 in facing relation to the shoulders 42. Each socket is transversely of dovetail shape and each provides a semifrusto-conical hearing at the inner end thereof. Each bearing socket has a passage or opening 46 disposed to the adjacent side of the base.

Opposite sides of the base 11 are preferably substantially planar and parallel. A bifurcated handle 50 is provided having a lever portion 51 and legs 52 fitted flatly against opposite sides of the base. Each leg has an inwardly disposed frustoconical trunnion 53 fitted to a respective bearing socket 45 and each trunnion has a base slidably fitted to its respective sockets passage 46. Each of the legs also provides a cam surface or eccentric 54 engageable with its respectively adjacent shoulder 42. The cam surface has a flat or dwell 55 engageable with the shoulder 42 when the lever portion 51 is pivoted flatly against the shank l4 and cable 18. The cam surface also has a flat or dwell 56 which is engageable with the shoulder 42 when the lever portion 51 is pivoted to the dashed line position shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the dwells 55 and 56 are in substantially right angular relation to each other and a transitional portion 57 of the surface 54 extends between the dwells. The dwells 55 are spaced from the axis of the trunnions a distance such that when the handle is pivoted to the full line position of FIG. 2, they retract from the shoulders 42 permitting the springs to tighten the portions of the body 10 into clamping position. In such condition, the post opening 13 is substantially circular. In order forceably to open the separable portions of the body 10, the dwells 56 are spaced farther from the axis of the trunnion 53 than the dwells 55.

It will be noted that, considered in a plane transversely thereof, the legs 52 are in substantial right angular relation to the lever portion 51. To add strength to the handle and to increase the housing effect of the handle with respect to the cable 18 and shank l4, aprons 58 continuous with the legs and lever portion are extended along the lever portion to its extended end.

The handle 50 is conveniently and economically formed of any suitable plastic. It is preferably non-conductive and acid resistant. The cap 12 which the cam surface 54 of the handle engages may be of non-conductive plastic or conductive metal. The base 11 is of highly conductive material, such as copper, brass, bronze, aluminum or the like.

OPERATION The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. During assembly, the handle 50 is first mounted on the base 11 by sliding the trunnions 53 into the bearing sockets 45. The compression springs 33 are then located in their counter bores 31, the bolts 34 extended through the springs and the bores 30, and the nuts 35 screwthreadably engaged with the bolts. The bolts 34 are then swaged sufficiently to avoid inadvertent disengagement of the nuts from the bolts. The bolts are then rotated to place the springs under sufficient compression to achieve the grasping force desired in the post opening 13. The connector is usually marketed in this condition.

It will be noted that the compression springs urge the bolts 34, to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 urging the cap 12 correspondingly to the right to bring the shoulders 42 into engagement with the dwells 55 on the handle 50 when such movement is unobstructed by a post 60 in the opening 13. Such engagement releasably retains the handle in the shielding full-line position of FIG. 2. When the post 60 is in the opening, the shoulders do not quite reach facing engagement with the dwells 55 but in closely spaced relation thereto preclude inadvertent displacement of the handle from such shielding position. Obviously, unless forceably overcome by the handle, the springs urge the cap 12 and the base 11 into constricting relation about the post opening.

The trunnions 53 are effectively captured in the bearing sockets 45 and urged into seated engagement with the bearing ends thereof by engagement of the shoulders 42 with the cam surface 54 under the urging of the springs 33.

When it is desired to distend the post opening 13, or to uncover the bores 20 so as to fasten the cable 18, the handle 50 is pivoted from the full-line position shown in FIG. 2 into the dashed-line position. This rotates the cam surfaces 54 and successively brings the transitional portions 57 and the dwells 56 into engagement with the shoulders 42. This forces the cap 12 away from the base 11. In such position, the springs 33 releasably retain the handle 50 in the dashed-line position through the engagement ofthe shoulders 42 with the dwells 56 under the resilient force of the springs. In such adjustment, the cable 18 can be inserted into the bore 15 and counter bore 16 and the screws 21 utilized to fasten the cable to the base.

When the battery connector is to be installed on a post 60, the body is fitted downwardly over the post. The handle 50 is then pivoted from the dashed-line position shown in FIG. 2 to the full-line position. This rotates the cam surfaces 54 successively to bring the transitional portions 57 and the dwells 55 into engagement with the shoulders 42. This permits the cap to be drawn tightly inwardly against the post 60 by the springs 33. When the cap 12 and base 11 are held tightly about a post 60, the juxtaposed faces 40 and 41 are in adjacent spaced relation but do not quite engage. The shoulders 42, however, are so disposed in relation to the dwells 55 that the handle 50 cannot move from its position housing the shank l4 and cable 18 unless forceably displaced so as to release the battery connector from the port 60.

The battery connector. of the present invention is easily repaired. In the event the handle 50 needs to be replaced for any reason, the base 11 and the cap 12 are separated sufficiently to permit the trunnions 53 to be moved out of the bearing sockets 45 and a new handle installed with its trunnions in the bearing sockets. A significant feature of the invention is the provision of the bearing sockets 45'disposed so as to be overlaid by the cap 12. Thus, the trunnions 53 are captured in the sockets 32 by the cap, are seated in their bearings by the springs 33 urging the shoulders 42 against the cam surfaces 54, and cannot be removed from the sockets without first displacing the cap sufficiently to uncover the sockets. In the event a spring 33 needs to be replaced, its bolt 34 is unscrewed from its nut 35, the bolt withdrawn, the damaged spring removed, a new spring installed and the bolt reassembled in its nut. The cable 18 is readily removed by removing the screws 21 and a new cable installed by insertion into the bore 15 and counter bore 16 and by tightening the screws into place.

The battery connector is economical to construct, durable, exerts an adjustably resilient grip resistive to displacement from a battery post by vibration, and provides for a positive release easily achieved by the mechanical advantage the handle 50 possesses over the cam surface 54. The springs 33 not only provide the gripping force, as known in earlier battery connectors, but they selectively retain the handle in shielding or releasing positions, retain the handle in assembled relation to the base 11, and insure seated engagement of the trunnions 53in the bearing sockets.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A connector comprising a body having separable portions defining a clamping opening therebetween; means interconnecting the portions for relative movement toward and from each other, said portions having juxtaposed faces which are in proximate relation when the portions are moved toward each other and in spaced relation when the portions are moved from each other, one of said faces having a bearing socket therein disposed toward the other face; a handle having a trunnion received in the bearing socket and an eccentric engageable with said other face rotatable by pivotal movement of the handle; and resilient means urging the portions toward each other to constrict the opening and through engagement with the eccentric of the handle to urge the trunnion into seated position in the bearing socket.

2. The connector of claim 1 in which the interconnecting means is releasable to admit the trunnion to the bearing socket and to accommodate its removal therefrom, and in which the trunnion is captured in the bearing socket by said other face when the portions are interconnected by said means.

3. in a connector having a pair of separable portions mounted for relative movement toward and from each other, said portions having juxtaposed faces, and resilient means urging said portions toward each other; a pair of bearing sockets in one of said faces overlaid by the other of said faces, and a handle having axially aligned trunnions rotatably mounted in said sockets and captured therein by the overlaying face of the other portion, said handle being engageable with said overlaying face and pivotal between a position forcing said portions apart and a position permitting the resilient means to urge said portions toward each other.

4. The connector of claim 3 in which the handle has cam means rotatable with the trunnions engageable with said overlaying face.

5. The connector of claim 3 in which the handle has cam means integral therewith rotatable about the axis of the trunnions upon pivoting of the handle, said cam means having a surface of maximum radial extension from the axis of the trunnions in engagement with the overlaying face when the handle is in the position forcing the portions apart, a surface of minimum radial extension from the axis of the trunnions in engagement with the overlaying face when the handle is in the position permitting the resilient means to urge said portions toward each other, and a transitional surface interconnecting the surfaces of maximum and minimum extension.

6. The connector of claim 5 in which the cam means has flats at said positions of maximum and minimum extension selectively to restrain the handle in said positions.

7. A battery connector comprising a body having a pair of separable portions defining a battery post receiving opening therebetween; means interconnecting said portions for spacial adjustment in parallelism in a plane transversely of said opening, said portions havingjuxtaposed faces disposed in a plane substantially diametrical to said opening, one of said portions having substantially parallel sides normal to its face and equally spaced on opposite sides of said opening, the face on the other portion extending beyond said sides of the one portion, said one portion having dovetail channels in its opposite sides extended inwardly from its face and terminating in round inner ends forming bearings; resilient means urging the portions toward each other; and a bifurcated handle having legs spaced a distance substantially equal to the spacing of the sides of the one portion, axially aligned frusto-conical trunnions slidably fitted to the dovetail channels and rotatably fitted to the bearings, said trunnions when engaged with their bearings mounting the handle on said one portion for pivotal movement between a predetermined closing position in covering relation to said one portion and a predetermined opening position pivoted from said one portion, and the legs having cam surfaces engaged with the face of said other portion where it extends beyond the sides of the one portion-forcing the portions apart when the handle is pivoted to opening position and permitting the resilient means to close the portions toward each other when the handle is pivoted to closing position, the resilient means through the engagement of the face of the other portion with the cam surfaces serving releasably to hold the trunnions in bearing socket engagement.

8. The battery connector of claim 7 in which said one portion is a base of electrical conductive material adapted to have a battery cable connected thereto, and the handle including its legs, trunnions and cam surfaces is of an acid resistant plastic material. 

1. A connector comprising a body having separable portions defining a clamping opening therebetween; means interconnecting the portions for relative movement toward and from each other, said portions having juxtaposed faces which are in proximate relation when the portions are moved toward each other and in spaced relation when the portions are moved from each other, one of said faces having a bearing socket therein disposed toward the other face; a handle having a trunnion received in the bearing socket and an eccentric engageable with said other face rotatable by pivotal movement of the handle; and resilient means urging the portions toward each other to constrict the opening and through engagement with the eccentric of the handle to urge the trunnion into seated position in the bearing socket.
 2. The connector of claim 1 in which the interconnecting means is releasable to admit the trunnion to the bearing socket and to accommodate its removal therefrom, and in which the trunnion is captured in the bearing socket by said other face when the portions are interconnected by said means.
 3. In a connector having a pair of separable portions mounted for relative movement toward and from each other, said portions having juxtaposed faces, and resilient means urging said portions toward each other; a pair of bearing sockets in one of said faces overlaid by the other of said faces, and a handle having axially aligned trunnions rotatably mounted in said sockets and captured therein by the overlaying face of the other portion, said handle being engageable with said overlaying face and pivotal bEtween a position forcing said portions apart and a position permitting the resilient means to urge said portions toward each other.
 4. The connector of claim 3 in which the handle has cam means rotatable with the trunnions engageable with said overlaying face.
 5. The connector of claim 3 in which the handle has cam means integral therewith rotatable about the axis of the trunnions upon pivoting of the handle, said cam means having a surface of maximum radial extension from the axis of the trunnions in engagement with the overlaying face when the handle is in the position forcing the portions apart, a surface of minimum radial extension from the axis of the trunnions in engagement with the overlaying face when the handle is in the position permitting the resilient means to urge said portions toward each other, and a transitional surface interconnecting the surfaces of maximum and minimum extension.
 6. The connector of claim 5 in which the cam means has flats at said positions of maximum and minimum extension selectively to restrain the handle in said positions.
 7. A battery connector comprising a body having a pair of separable portions defining a battery post receiving opening therebetween; means interconnecting said portions for spacial adjustment in parallelism in a plane transversely of said opening, said portions having juxtaposed faces disposed in a plane substantially diametrical to said opening, one of said portions having substantially parallel sides normal to its face and equally spaced on opposite sides of said opening, the face on the other portion extending beyond said sides of the one portion, said one portion having dovetail channels in its opposite sides extended inwardly from its face and terminating in round inner ends forming bearings; resilient means urging the portions toward each other; and a bifurcated handle having legs spaced a distance substantially equal to the spacing of the sides of the one portion, axially aligned frusto-conical trunnions slidably fitted to the dovetail channels and rotatably fitted to the bearings, said trunnions when engaged with their bearings mounting the handle on said one portion for pivotal movement between a predetermined closing position in covering relation to said one portion and a predetermined opening position pivoted from said one portion, and the legs having cam surfaces engaged with the face of said other portion where it extends beyond the sides of the one portion forcing the portions apart when the handle is pivoted to opening position and permitting the resilient means to close the portions toward each other when the handle is pivoted to closing position, the resilient means through the engagement of the face of the other portion with the cam surfaces serving releasably to hold the trunnions in bearing socket engagement.
 8. The battery connector of claim 7 in which said one portion is a base of electrical conductive material adapted to have a battery cable connected thereto, and the handle including its legs, trunnions and cam surfaces is of an acid resistant plastic material. 